Dear Bands, Stop Charging To Meet You

Dear Bands,

There seems to be a new trend with musical artists. And although the concept is by no means new, it has become more and more popular among bands. And every time I see a band I like doing it, it irks me more and more. What I'm talking about is charging to meet you. And in most cases, I'm obviously very against it. But a few bands are doing it right and some wrong. To me, I see it as a sort of money grab. The scene I see it happening the most is the Pop Punk/Metal scene. So the average consumer for these types of shows are in college and working a part time, minimum wage job. So their take home (going off California rates) is around $800-$1000/month. Now add in a phone bill and maybe an apartment. That same person was probably lucky to afford your show in the first place. Now, just to meet you, you're charging another $50-$100 to meet you for a minute? Bands like PVRIS are doing it totally wrong. From what I've heard from several people, they're doing paid meet and greets but the CDs and posters are pre-autographed, they won't write out lyrics for tattoos (which if you haven't noticed, getting your favorite band's lyrics in their handwriting tattooed is also a pretty popular trend.), and won't hug you or touch you during the pictures. While I kind of understand the last one, the other parts don't add up. I'm glad I met them before they got big and super stuck up. Now on the other hand, you have a band like Neck Deep doing meet and greets the right way. They just announced their Fall US Tour and although its $85, their VIP package includes and acoustic set around a freaking campfire. You also get photos, poster, and an enamel pin, but a campfire set sounds worth every penny alone. Another band getting it right is Memphis May Fire. For their spring tour, for their VIP, you got to hang backstage with the band, listening to the new record while eating pizza. Those are the couple times I'll forgive bands for charging.

Now another situation is the band may be too big to hang out by the bus waiting to meet fans. Now unless you're playing to rooms of 750 or more people, you shouldn't be charging for meet and greets. Chances are, most of those fans will go home and not wait for you. Even with smaller bands and paid meet and greets, you're still gonna find a few people hanging by the tour bus. Pictures, conversations, and autographs cost literally nothing except maybe a little bit of your time.

One last problem is putting wealthier fans on a sort of "pedestal." Rich people already are a lot of the times stuck up and snooty, but now you have fans that want to spend time with you but can't afford it and that can make it even worse. Like I said, unless you can absolutely not avoid it, have some cool merch and experiences, or plan on hanging out by the bus or merch booth after the show, stop charging for VIP. Just stop. Please.

Until Next Time,

Alex

PS. Thank you to The Maine for inspiring this and being an advocate for never charging for meet and greets.